Compressor manifold seal



April 25, 1967 T. M. KROPIWNICKI COMPRESSOR MANIFOLD SEAL Filed Oct. 24, 1965 IN VENTOR.

TADEK M. KROPIWNICKI. BY

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,315,880 COMPRESSOR MANIFOLD SEAL Tadek M. Kropiwnicki, Syracuse, N.Y., assignor to Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,557 4 Claims. (Cl. 230-58) This invention relates to hermetic motor compressors and, more particularly, to a manifold sealing arrangement for hermetic motor compressors.

In hermetic motor compressors the advantages realized, particularly in terms of economy and simplicity, in .the use of a common discharge manifold render that construction highly desirable. However, in multi-cylinder versions of the compressor, it is often desired to operate the compressor at reduced capacity. A reduction in comfold to be connected with the suction side of the compressor without impairing effective operation of other cylinders operatively joined to the remaining part of the discharge manifold.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hermetic motor compressor apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide, in a hermetic motor compressor of the type having a common discharge manifold, an improved arrangement for isolating one part of the discharge manifold from another part of the manifold to enable the compressor to be unloaded.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, economical and effective sealing arrangement for separating the discharge manifold of a hermetic motor compressor into plural sections to permit part capacity operation of the compressor.

This invention relates to a hermetic motor compressor apparatus comprising in combination a housing defining a generally cylindrical chamber; a compressor block telescopically received in the chamber, the block having first and second annular sides projecting therefrom engageable with the inner wall of the housing to define in cooperation therewith a substantially annular discharge manifold; the part of the block between the first and second projecting sides defining a plurality of radially oriented cylinders opening into the discharge manifold; a crankshaft rotatably journalled in the block; a piston slidably received in each cylinder operatively secured to the crankshaft; a suction manifold; valve means regulating communication of each cylinder with the suction manifold and the discharge manifold; and means for sub-dividing the discharge manifold into a first manifold section communicating with at least one of the cylinders and a second manifold section to permit the first manifold section to be connected with the suction manifold to thereby render the one cylinder ineflective including an outwardly projecting flange on the block on each side of the one cylinder engageable with the inner wall of the housing, the flanges extending between the first and second projecting sides, the outer surface of each flange having a shallow groove therewith-in continuing from the first projecting side to the second projecting side, and a length of resilient seal in each flange groove, the dimension of the seals being greater than the depth of the flange grooves so that the seals project into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the housing.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuing description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in section along lines II of FIGURE 2 of the hermetic motor compressor apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines II-II of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view showing the sealing arrangement of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a multi-cylinder hermetic type reciprocating compressor 2 is therein shown incorporating a common discharge manifold sub-divided into sections which enables one section of the discharge manifold to be connected with the suction manifold to render the cylinders associated with that manifold section ineffective without impairing operation of the other compressor cylinders. Compressor 2 has an open ended block 4 with plural cylinders 6 emanating radially therefrom. Crankshaft 8 is rotatably journalled in upper and lower bearing members 10, 12, fixedly supported on block 4. Crankshaft 8 is drivingly connected to a suitable oil pump 15 housed within lower bearing member 12.

Drive motor 18, fastened within the upper end 19 of compressor block 4, has rotor 20 thereof drivingly secured to crankshaft '8. A piston 21 is movably disposed with-in each cylinder 6. Each piston 21 is operatively secured to eccentric portion 8' of crankshaft 8 by a connecting rod 22. A suitable suction and discharge valve mechanism 24 operatively communicates each cylinder 6 with suction and discharge manifolds 25, 26, respectively.

Compressor block 4 has outwardly projecting annular flanges 2 8, 29 adapted to abut the inside wall of cylindrical inner shell 30. The dimension of flanges 28, 29 is preferably slightly less than the inside dimension of inner shell 30. Cylinder block 4, including flanges 28, 29 thereof and inner shell 30, cooperate to delimit the generally annular discharge manifold 26. Recess or groove 35 in flanges 28, 29 has O-ring seal 38 therewithin.

The base of inner shell 30 is formed inwardly at 40 to support compressor block 4 therewithin. The top of shell 30 is flanged outwardly at 42. Springs 46 fasten inner shell 30 and compressor block 4 to outer shell 45 while spring 47 centrally supports block 4 through lower bearing member 12. Outer shell 45 may be comprised of generally cylindrical upper and lower parts 48, 49, respectively, which are sealed together at 50.

Opening 52 in outer shell 45 communicates compressor 2 with a suitable source of suction gas. Suction gas entering opening 52 flows through motor 18 to cool motor 18 and into suction manifold 25.

Dishcharge manifold 26 is, in the exemplary showing, divided into two sections 54, 55 by flanges 58. Flanges 58, projecting outwardly from cylinder block 4 and extending from one annular flange 28 to the other flange 29, are adapted to abut the inside wall of inner shell 30. Flanges 58 are configured to pass between selected compressor cylinders. In the exemplary compressor construction, flanges 58 are substantially vertical separating one-half of the cylinders 6 from the remaining half. Discharge conduits 60, 61 are connected to manifold sections 54, 55, respectively.

The outer faces of flanges 58 are grooved at 63. A cord-like seal 65 is disposed in each groove 63, a portion of the seal projecting therefrom. Seals 6.5 are comprised of a suitable elastomeric material having a high degree of resiliency, such as neoprene.

For assembly of compressor 2, a length of seal 65 is disposed in each flange groove 63 with the upper end thereof inserted within recess 67 in compressor block 4. The other end of seal 65 extends through passage 68 in block 4 and is held against movement by suitable means (not shown). Recess 67 and passage 68 have a dimension slightly greater than that of seal 65 to permit movement of seal 65 therewithin. The depth of recess 67 is sufficient to accommodate an added length of seal 65.

As compressor block 4 is moved downward-1y within shell 30, seals 65 are progressively trapped between block 4 and shell 30 within grooves 63. If the relative movement between shell 30 and block 4 stretches seals 65 the added seal length enters recess 67. When compressor block 4 is fully positioned within inner shell 30, that portion of seals 65 protruding from passages 68 is released permitting each seal 65, if stretched, to return to normal length and fill flange grooves 63. The excess seal length projecting from passages 68 is cut off and pin-like closures 69 forced into passages 68. Closures 69 drive seals 65 further into passages 68 and grooves 63 while preventing escape of high pressure discharge gas through passages 68 into the compressor crankcase.

The contact of seals 65 with the inside wall of shell 30 seals discharge manifold section 54 from manifold section 55. Preferably, both the inside wall of shell 30 and flange grooves 63 are coated with a suitable lubricant to facilitate assembly.

Where compressor 2 is operated at part capacity, one discharge manifold section, for example section 54, is connected by a suitable means (not shown) with suction manifold 25 to unload those compressor cylinders associated with manifold section 54. The pressure in discharge manifold section 54 accordingly drops. Flange and seal assembly 58, 65 acts to isolate manifold section 55 from manifold section 54 thereby preventing dissipation of the discharge pressures obtained in manifold section 55. The pressure differential between discharge manifold sections 54, 55 resulting from the connection of manifold section 54 with the suction manifold 25 tends to force seals 65 into tight abutment with the inside face of shell 30 and that side 63' of groove 63 adjacent discharge manifold section 54.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a hermetic motor compressor apparatus, the combination of a housing defining a generally cylindrical chamber; a compressor block telescopically received in said chamber, said block having first and second annular sides projecting therefrom engageable with the inner wall of said housing to define in cooperation therewith a substantially annular discharge manifold; the part of said block between said first and second projecting sides defining a plurality of radially oriented cylinders opening into said discharge manifold; a crankshaft rotatably journalled in said block; a piston slidably received in each cylinder operatively secured to said crankshaft; a suction manifold; valve means regulating communication of each cylinder with said suction manifold and said discharge manifold; and means for sub-dividing said discharge manifold into a first manifold section communicating with at least one of said cylinders and a second manifold section to permit said first manifold section to be connected with said suction manifold to thereby render said one cylinder ineffective including, an outwardly projecting flange on said block on each side of said one cylinder engageable with the inner wall of said housing, said flanges extending between said first and second projecting sides, the outer surface of each flange having a shallow groove therewithin continuing from said first projecting side to said second projecting side, and a length of resilient seal in each flange groove, the dimension of said seals being greater than the depth of said flange grooves so that said seals project into sealing engagement with the inner wall of said housing. 2. A hermetic motor compressor apparatus according to claim 1 in which said seal is formed from neoprene.

3. A hermetic motor compressor apparatus according to claim 1 including a stop surface adjacent one end of said housing cooperable with said block first side to limit telescopic movement of said block into said chamber, and a receptacle communicating with the end of each flange groove adjacent said block second side, said receptacle being sized to accommodate any increased length in said seals upon movement of said block into said chamber.

4. A hermetic motor compressor apparatus according to claim 3 including a passage opening into the other end of each flange groove for supplying additional seal length to said flange grooves following insertion of said block into said chamber to permit said seal-s to assume normal length, and plug means for sealingly closing said passages.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A HERMETIC MOTOR COMPRESSOR APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION OF A HOUSING DEFINING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER; A COMPRESSOR BLOCK TELESCOPICALLY RECEIVED IN SAID CHAMBER, SAID BLOCK HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ANNULAR SIDES PROJECTING THEREFROM ENGAGEABLE WITH THE INNER WALL OF SAID HOUSING TO DEFINE IN COOPERATION THEREWITH A SUBSTANTIALLY ANNULAR DISCHARGE MANIFOLD; THE PART OF SAID BLOCK BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND PROJECTING SIDES DEFINING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY ORIENTED CYLINDERS OPENING INTO SAID DISCHARGE MANIFOLD; A CRANKSHAFT ROTATABLY JOURNALLED IN SAID BLOCK; A PISTON SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN EACH CYLINDER OPERATIVELY SECURED TO SAID CRANKSHAFT; A SUCTION MANIFOLD; VALVE MEANS REGULATING COMMUNICATION OF EACH CYLINDER WITH SAID SUCTION MANIFOLD AND SAID DISCHARGE MANIFOLD; AND MEANS FOR SUB-DIVIDING SAID DISCHARGE MANIFOLD INTO A FIRST MANIFOLD SECTION COMMUNICATING WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CYLINDERS AND A SECOND MANIFOLD SECTION TO PERMIT SAID FIRST MANIFOLD SECTION TO BE CONNECTED WITH SAID SUCTION MANIFOLD TO THEREBY RENDER SAID ONE CYLINDER 